Simulated window



March 18, 1952 STERUNG 2,589,744

SIMULATED WINDOW.

Filed Dec. 11, 1948 FIG.

INVEN TOR. F- J. STERLING ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 18, 1952 TAT (PA NT;

OFF CEJJ SIMULATED wmnow Florence J. Sterling, Chicago, 'Ill., assignor to Sterling-Freeland Industries, Inc., Chicago, Ill., acorporationoi' Illinois I Application Decemberll, 1948, Serial No. 64,879

4 Claims. (01.240410) of being faced with a blank wall throughout a. substantial portion-of the day. In. other fields,-

such advertising and display,; thereflis oftentimes a fneed to. simulate the appearance of a a light shade. v Suitable light sources are positionedin there"- cess 2| and these are preferably of thetubular window' as" accurately as, possible. .In industry locations, windows in various rooms, such as restfrooms, are oftennot available, and it is desirable to ,provideas home-like and cheerful a roomas possible. l, V Accordingly, it is anobject of the present inventiontoprovide a structure which will simulate that of an outside window, incorporating means thereinior the employment. of artificial light in such a way-as to create the illusion of its receiving natural light.

A further object of the invention is the .pro-

vision of. structure for providing light in an apparently natural way,. which light may be .directed as desired. 1 'A still further object of the invention is the provision of a relatively inexpensive and durable structure adapted for use in conjunction with a wall and which is adapted to transmit light therethrough to create the illusion of natural light. These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: I

Fig; '1 is a front elevation of the device with a Venetian blind in place;

Fig. 2. a front elevation with the Venetian blind raised; Y Fig. 3, a section on the lines 33 of Fig. 1; and, Fig. 4, a section on the lines 4-4 of Fig. 2. I With continued reference to the drawings a device constructed in accordance with the preswork ll] of substantially rectangular configuraig A substantially fiat sheet member-or back plate '18 having, flanged edges I9 is attached to the leg l6of the channel members of the framework by imeaiisbf fasteners passing through the members.' It is apparent that the frameworkin com .bination with the backing plate provide a recess 2| between the inner leg members I 5 of the framework. The surface of the framework which definesa portion of the recess 2! may have a'f refiecting surface such as a mirror, orbe of typewell knownin the art. Those disclosed include U-shaped tubular leg members 22 and Z3 having their free ends positioned inthe inner leg [5 of the channel member ll of the framework. Their loopsare received through apertures 24 of the inner legs [5 ofthe channel memf bers l2. Suitable electrical connectors aregattached to the light and are received in a conventional plug 25 which may be connected to a source of elec-f trical energy. o v 1 An elongated angle member 26 has a leg 21 attached to the leg 16 of the upper channel member l3 and has its leg 28 spaced from the web I l of the channel member. Secured within the space is a supporting bar 29 of a Venetian blind type of shade 30. p

,fI'he entirestructure is adapted to rest on a sfill or other support, or may be attached to a wall. 7 v jj When the structure is positioned, an observer sees what appears to be a conventional window covered by a Venetian blind through which light isxbeing transmitted. This creates the illusion are, window receiving natural light. The angle of the slats may be adjusted to .direct therays substantially downwardly or at another preferred angle.

Although various kinds of lights including tubular types may be used, a preferred variety has been foundto'be the cold-light .type in order to protect the shade or blind from being exposed to an excessive amount of heat, and also to prevent the creation of unnecessary heat when this is f undesirable, as for example, during the hot seaent invention is disclosed and includes a frametion. The framework has side members I l and":

I2 and upper and lower members l3 and M. The members are preferably constructed of channel outwardly thereof, connected by a web IT.

' son of the year. ""This invention is not limited to the construction in the various parts thereof, of any particular material, although sheet metal or plywood has been found to be preferable.

It is apparent that the invention contemplates aisupporting framework for a'shade. preferably of the Venetian blind type and which is adapted 3 to create the illusion of an outside window exposed to the natural light and which provides light for interior use.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limitedby that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination a substantially rectangular framework of channel members including .upper and lower and side members, a back for-the framework comprising a substantially fiat sheet member having flanged edge portions attached to the outer legs of the channel members, the sheet member in combination with the framework providing a recess, a plurality of tubular light members supported in the recess in spaced relation and having their end portions within one .ofthechannelmembers, each of said light members consisting of-a u-shaped tube extending transversely of the recess, electrical means attached to the light members and adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy for energizing said light, an elongated angle memberhaving one leg attached to a leg of the upper channel member and the other extending downwardly and spaced from a portion thereof, a slat type blind supported in the space between the leg of the elongatedangle member and the framework channel member in order that the blind may be in a position to substantially cover theframework including the recess, means for selectively controlling the angle of said 'blind slats whereby the. rays of the light members may beprojected'direct-ly through the blind at different angles to vary the effect of the illumination and create the illusion of natural light.

a 12. In combination a substantially rectangular framework of channel members including upper and lower and side members, a back for the framework-comprising a substantially flat sheet member attached to the channel members, the sheet member in combinationwith the framework providing, a recess, one or more tubular light members supported in the recess and having their end portions positioned within the channel members, said light members extending transversely of the recess in zig-zag relation thereto, electrical means attached to the light members and adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy for. energizing said light members, an elongated angle. member having one leg attached to a .leg of the upper channel member and the other extending downwardly and spaced from a portion thereof, a slat type blind supported in the space between the leg. of the elongated angle member and the frame:

Work channel member in order that the blind may be in a position to substantially cover the framework including the recess, means for selectiyelycontrolling the angle of said blind slats whereby the rays of the light members may be projected directly through the blind at different angles to vary the effect of the illumination and create the illusion of natural light.

3. In combination a substantially rectangular framework of channel members including upper and lower and side members, a back for the framework comprising a substantially flat sheet member attached to the channel members, the sheet member in combination with the framework providing a recess, one or more light memberssupported in the recess extending transverselyithereof,.electrical means attached to the light members adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy for energizing said light members, an elgonated angle member having one leg attached to a leg of the upper channel member and the other extending downwardly and spaced from a portion thereof, a slat type blind supported in .the space between the leg of the elongated angle member and the ferent angles to vary the eifect of the illumination and create the illusion of natural light.

"4. .In combination .a substantially rectangular framework including upper and lower and side members,.a back for the framework compri ing'a substantially fiat sheetmember attached to the members, the'sheet member in combination with the framework providing a recess, one or more tubularlight members supported in the recess extending transversely thereof, electrical means attached to the'light members adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy for energizing said light members, an elongated member attached to the upper member and spaced from a portion thereof, a slat type blind supported inthe-space between the elongated member and the framework member in order that the blind may be in a position to substantially cover the framework means for selectively controlling the angle of said blind slats whereby the rays of the light members may be projected directly through the blind at diiferent angles to vary the efiect of the illumination and create the illusion of natural light.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS including the recess,

FLORENCE J STERLING. H 

